Ace the Wyoming Pesticide Applicator Exam 2026 – Conquer the Green Frontier!

Runoff or leaching is the main cause for pesticide movement in water. This is because when pesticides are used on crops or other areas, rain or irrigation can cause the pesticides to run off or leach into nearby bodies of water. This makes them easily accessible for aquatic life and can also contaminate drinking water sources. The other options, such as highly water-soluble pesticides, breakdown by soil microorganisms, and turning into a gas or vapor, may also contribute to pesticide movement in water, but they are not the main cause. Highly water-soluble pesticides may also have a higher tendency to run off or be easily leached into water. The breakdown of chemicals by soil microorganisms can also eventually lead to them being carried into water sources, but it is not the initial cause. And while some pesticides may have a tendency to turn into gas or vapor, this is not as significant as runoff or leaching in terms of pesticide movement in water.